At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, winter is for construction which means hardscapes and carpentry. As long as we have dug out the foundation before the soil freezes, we can work through the winter building all kinds of stone and paver projects from retaining walls to patios, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens. Winter is also a good time for us to work on carpentry projects, including decks and screened-in porches. We will build roofs and shade structures for outdoor spaces to be ready for the planting phase once spring arrives.
Patios
We build patios of all kinds. We specialize in pavers, or natural stone but can also offer concrete options as well. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Pavers
Approximately 80% of our patios are made of pavers. These are individual concrete shapes that are laid in a pattern to form the patio. Pavers come in all shapes and sizes. The flexible joints allow pavers to move with the soil, so they don’t crack like solid concrete patios. In addition, pavers can be dug up without destroying them if you need to access pipes or wires under them, they can also be repaired if settling occurs over time.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is another choice. It is the biggest investment but it will never go out of style since it comes from the earth. Stone can be many colors and can be cut into many shapes. It is laid on a base of aggregate or in a mortar bed on concrete. As with pavers, the flexible nature of the installation allows for the stones to be adjusted later for future phases or repairs as needed.
Concrete
Concrete can be poured if it is going to be above freezing for a few days. The advantage of concrete is that it is easy to work with and is less expensive than other materials. However, as the soil freezes and thaws, it moves, which will eventually cause concrete to crack over time.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are often necessary to terrace yards with slopes. They prevent erosion of the soil. Retaining walls can be concrete block or stone. Stone is more natural and everlasting, but concrete can be cast in any shape and it tends to be less expensive.
Pool Decks
Pools decks don’t have to be expanses of white concrete. We can create colored concrete patios around your pool. Another option is a walkway made of pavers or natural stones. We can make the area around your pool safe and pretty at the same time.
Planning For Spring
Now is an excellent time to plan for work you want done in the spring. We can come out on a consultation and talk to you about the work you want. We will draw up the plans and get them just the way you want them so that when the weather warms up, we can get started on your project.
Ready or not, here comes the snow. Are you prepared to deal with de-icing your hardscape? Here are some suggestions we have used to keep things snow and ice-free.
Snow Shovels
A snow shovel is definitely different from a garden or digging shovel. For one thing, snow shovels are usually lighter and wider, around 18-24 inches. They are designed to do one of three things: scoop the snow, push the snow, or both. You can even get electric snow shovels now (not sure how well they work). A push shovel is better than a scoop shovel for large jobs and large areas. A scoop shovel is better for tight confined areas. Either one may have an ergonomic handle to help prevent back pain when shoveling.
Plastic shovels are lighter but are not good if you have to chip away at hard ice and are more prone to break. Steel shovels are good at hard snow and ice removal and are very durable but may be heavy. Aluminum is stronger than plastic but may bend or break when removing hard ice that requires chipping away. Choose the best shovel you can afford for the type of snow and ice in your area. The Blue Crew likes to use the wider plastic shovels for pushing snow, and we break out our landscape shovels when we need to chip away at heavy ice.
Snow Blowers
Snow blowers come in several types. Electric snow blowers are capable of clearing light snow. They are commonly used on decks and steps that larger mowers won’t fit on. Electric snow blowers are usually less heavy-duty than other snow blowers and wear out faster. They also throw anything they encounter, including rocks and other debris. However, they are low maintenance and easy to use.
Single-stage snow blowers are gasoline-powered. They scoop up the snow and shoot it out the shoot. In addition to being cheaper than other gasoline-powered blowers, they are smaller and lighter. They can handle up to twelve inches of snow so you might have to clear snow multiple times during a storm. Don’t use them on a rock driveway as they will throw the rocks.
Two-stage snow blowers are more powerful than both electric snow blowers and single-stage snow blowers. They can handle as much as eighteen inches of snow and power through drifts. The snow is picked up by the auger, and then thrown through the shoot. They can be used on concrete and rock driveways. However, they are heavier and more expensive than the first two types of snow blowers.
Three-stage snow blowers are the most powerful walk-behind mowers for consumers. Augers pick up the snow, then it is moved to the middle, where it is chopped and thrown fifty feet out of the shoot. If you have to push through frozen walls of ice the snowplow left behind, you will need a three-stage snow blower. They often feature heated grips, self-propelled wheels, and single-push shoot control.
Snow Pushing Equipment
For those of you with a bigger budget and who like your toys, you can invest in all types of snow-pushing equipment. There are small plows that you can put on the front of a mower or ATV to help clear driveways. We use our bobcats with blades on them to clear snow whenever possible, and of course, you can put a plow on a truck if you really have a lot to clear.
Ice Melt & Pre-Treating
Ice melt can work wonders for helping to clear snow and ice during the winter. Some types of ice melt like old-fashioned salt can cause damage to concrete if left over time. Salt is typically used for asphalt roads and parking lots, but when it is left on your concrete driveway or walkway for too long can cause some serious damage. We prefer to use magnesium chloride or calcium magnesium acetate to help melt ice and snow. These products are less damaging to concrete surfaces. The Blue Crew tends to pre-treat whenever possible. This is the magic secret to making your life easier with it comes to snow. By putting down a thin coating of ice melt prior to the storm, you can usually save yourself some serious work later. The snow at the bottom will not stick as much and helps prevent a bottom layer of ice when shoveling. In some cases, during light snow, the ice melt can really minimize the amount of scraping or shoveling that needs to be done.
Careful of Your Pavers Though
While removing snow and ice is important, you need to be careful when doing so on pavers. It is best to avoid de-icing chemicals on pavers. These will strip the seal on the pavers and over time can cause flaking on the top. The flaking will eventually leave dimples on top that collect water, ice, and leaves. Use a snow shovel or snow blower instead. You would hate to ruin your investment in your paver patio or walkway due to too many ice melt treatments.
Remove Snow the Right Way
Take the time now to make sure that you are prepared for the snow this season. Evaluate your hard surface areas and what is a priority for clearing during a storm. Get the right tools for the job and have a game plan. Don’t forget about your guests and the mailman when you clear your property. A snow-covered landscape is such a beautiful sight, and when you have clean and clear surfaces, it makes it even more breathtaking. Best of luck this winter and have a Happy Holiday Season from Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping!
As the holiday season and winter beckons, it is time to prepare your plants for the cold. Here are the things we at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping do so our customers’ plants go into the winter prepared.
Watering
First off don’t forget to water. We are still experiencing drought conditions in our area and this time of year it is crucial to water plants before we get into prolonged deep freezes. It is always best to water by hand with a hose and focus on the root zone of the plant. Don’t forget to water your established trees and shrubs as well as your newer plants. We have seen some older plants die on our clients’ properties in the last couple of years and the dry conditions are a major culprit. If you want to protect your landscape and the investment in your property this is the easiest and best thing you can do. (P.S. Don’t forget to unhook your hose when you are done to prevent freeze damage to your spigot)
Pruning
Roses, shrubs, and trees need pruning. Cut out all damaged and diseased branches. Most mature trees do not need anything more than that unless limbs are in dangerous places. For roses, remove all dead, dying, and diseased branches. Pick five or six strong branches and remove all other growth. Trim hedges that are topiaries or need to fit a specific shape. Thin shrubs by cutting out all water sprouts and branches that crowd other branches. Periodically thinning opens up the interior to more air circulation, reducing diseases.
Cut Back Perennials
Many perennials are looking pretty tired now, after a long, hot summer. Cut back to the ground any brown or black areas and any perennials that do not add winter interest. Remove dead foliage to reduce the bugs that overwinter in them. If the foliage is diseased or chewed on, remove it and discard it in the trash, not the compost pile. Leave perennials that have berries or other food for birds and animals, or who are interesting to look at during the winter.
Remove Annuals
It is time to remove your summer annuals from your landscape beds. They are done and don’t look good. Cover the area with mulch to protect the ground from the winter cold and cover up the bare spaces. Tidying up will make things look nicer all winter. You could also plant some pansies in their place to get color through the cold months. They will over-winter and take off in the early spring as they are a cold hardy flower for our area.
Clean out Leaves
Your landscape beds have likely begun to collect leaf debris from the fall. This is a great time to begin cleaning leaves out of the beds for the winter season. This will help keep the beds looking good for the holiday season.
Deep Root Fertilizer for Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can benefit from a deep root fertilizer to give them the energy to get through the winter especially the evergreens that will continue to produce chlorophyll and stay green. This fertilizer will also give the trees and shrubs the energy to start growing in the spring.
Wilt-Pruf Evergreens
To prepare your evergreens for winter ice and road salt, spray them with Wilt-Pruf. This prevents winter burn, a dehydration of the evergreen which makes them look bad and can even kill them. You can read more on the process and benefits in this article on winter burn in evergreens.
Make A Busy Time Less Busy
The holiday season is really busy for most people. Trying to winter-proof your landscape while doing all the other holiday tasks can be just a little too much. Let Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping get your landscape ready for the holiday season. Our garden care program does everything we have discussed here. To be added to our schedule, give us a call at the office at (816) 825-2524. Schedule a consultation for hardscape or design work this winter.
The holiday season is fast approaching. We know you want your outdoor living space to look its best, so we have some suggestions for getting ready for the fall holiday season.
Pumpkins and Gourds
Pumpkins and gourds are stacked everywhere. They add lots of fall colors to table arrangements and patio displays. When carving your pumpkins, save the seeds to eat. Simply wash them, salt them, and dry them in the oven for about thirty minutes at 350 F. When you are done with your pumpkins and gourds, consider giving them to someone with livestock or to the zoo. The animals will love the treat.
Fall Color
What would fall be without mums? Chrysanthemums are only one of the wonderful plants you can use for fall color. We wrote last month about the fall flower swap, so check out that article for some ideas. We will also do a winter flower swap with evergreens and Christmas décor later in the season.
Garden Care Mulching
Now is a great time to add an inch of mulch to all your landscape beds and around your trees and shrubs. The new mulch replaces the mulch that has decomposed during the summer. It also brightens up the landscape, so it looks its best for your holiday parties. We will be spreading mulch for our garden care clients, so you won’t have to do it yourself.
Winterize Your Irrigation System
It is time to winterize your irrigation system. You can winterize your own system, but having it checked by a professional means it will be ready when you need it in the spring. Having an irrigation specialist out to test your system, make any repairs, and drain it so you are ready for the winter is a wise investment. Don’t wait too late, or you risk a frozen pipe. Also, don’t forget to unhook your hoses from the house so that they don’t freeze and cause water to get in the house later.
We Can Help Prep
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can help get your outdoor living spaces ready for the party season. Enroll in our garden care program, and we will spread mulch, trim plants, and generally spiff up the landscape. We also do hardscape work during the winter. If you want us to do your project, schedule a consultation before our schedule for the winter fills up.
If you have pets you love as well as want an impressive and safe outdoor living area, you need to consider your pets’ needs along with your own when designing your landscape. We try to build in as many of the following areas in a pet-friendly landscape as possible.
Mulched Areas For Paths
Many dogs like to patrol their yard and will create a path along the fence. Any landscape beds in the way will get run over and destroyed. The path can get muddy when it rains. To keep your dog from destroying your flowers or tracking in mud, create a two-to-three-foot mulch path around the perimeter of the fence.
Raised Beds
While cats will go into raised beds as readily as level ground, dogs will often leave raised beds alone. A few lessons with your dog where you tell him “No” when he tries to enter a raised bed will keep your expensive plants safe.
Room For A Run
We have all seen dogs with the zoomies. Dogs like to run. It is a good idea to leave a long straight area in turf grass so the dog can run there instead of in your flowers. A dog with a good place to run will choose to stay out of landscape beds.
A Place To Rest
Most pets like to bask in the sun. See where your pet likes to lay and cushion the spot with mulch. The mulch will keep the spot from getting muddy when it rains and is just nice for the pet to lay on.
Shade should always be available to your pets. Summer is hot, and they need a cool place to go to stay safe. Shade cloth or an awning can make instant shade and still look nice. Of course, if you have an open-air outdoor living area, the pet can sleep there. Keep cool water available for them, too.
Safe Plants
Toxic plants do not have any place where your pets can reach them. Cats and dogs have different toxic plants, although they have some in common. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a list of plants to avoid on its website. You should also avoid plants with thorns or other dangerous parts where the pets will play. Running into a thorn can blind an animal while stepping on a sticker hurts.
Other Toxic Substances
Mulch is good, but mulch made from cocoa bean shells will kill a dog. It has the same substance in it that chocolate does. Use a mulch made from hardwood or pine.
Pesticides, including both insecticides and herbicides, can make your pet sick. When using them, be sure to consult the label for the re-entry time. Keep your pet inside for that length of time to make sure he doesn’t get pesticides on his coat and become sick. Cats will lick themselves to groom, so anything that gets on the fur ends up inside the cat.
Turf Alternative For Shade
If you have an area that is too shady for turf, you can use artificial turf or mulch to cover the ground. Both can be cleaned by hosing them off on occasion. Bare ground gets muddy and can erode, damaging tree roots and structures.
Designated Potty Area
Running barefoot in a yard with dog waste isn’t safe and isn’t pleasant, even with shoes on. Dogs can be trained to use a designated potty area before being allowed to run loose in the rest of the yard. Pea gravel on the ground will allow liquid waste to drain, while solid waste can be picked up easily. Simply hose the gravel off once a week or so to keep it clean.
Our office dogs, Lexi the mini Golden Doodle, and Reign, the Yorkie
Design For Pets
We love pets at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping. Because of this, we can take your pets’ needs into consideration when designing and installing an outdoor living area. Tell us what kind of pet you have, and we will help all of you enjoy your outdoor living area. Simply schedule a consultation and we will get right to work.
